Class Offerings

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Ages: 6 months-3 yearsInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:10 (A minimum number of three parent-child pairs are needed for each class.)

You and your child can become more comfortable in the water. You'll learn to teach your child to be safer in and around water. Your child will learn the difference between moving on land versus through water.

And you'll both have fun because games, such as such as Ring around the Rosy, are used to teach basic skills. Having fun helps your child feel secure while enjoying being in the water.

During this class, your child will learn to: • Roll from his/her back to his/her stomach • Blow bubbles with his/her face in the water • See an object in the water and move toward it • Kick while being supported by you and while on a swim noodle and being supported by you • Hold on to the side of the pool • Use the stairs to exit the pool • Jump into the water, where you will be waiting to catch him/her

Ages: 3-5Ability level: BeginnerInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:5 (A minimum number of three children are needed for each class.)

Pike- and eel-level swimmers learn the basics of being around water, including safety rules, and work on floating with minimal assistance. Your child also will strive to paddle on his/her front, back and side for 10 yards with assistance and for 5 yards independently.

During this class, your child will learn to: • Learn pool rules • Understand basic water safety, including how to put on a life jacket and have it checked by an adult • Realize when to yell for help • Learn that 9-1-1 is the number to dial in an emergency • Enter and exit the water safely • Float with minimal assistance • Perform bobs (While holding on to the side of the pool, your child will learn to blow bubbles while his/her head is submerged.) • Kick while holding on to the side of the pool and while using a kick board/swim noodle • Paddle while on his/her front, back and side for 10 yards with assistance and for 5 yards without assistance

Ages: 3-5Ability level: IntermediateInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:5 (A minimum number of three children are needed for each class.)

Ray- and starfish-level swimmers work to float and swim without assistance (20 yards with assistance and 15 yards independently) and learn water safety. Your child also will be taught to jump independently into 5- to- 7-feet of water and swim back to the surface.

During this class, your child will learn to: • Lean the pool rules • Understand basic water safety, including how to put on a life jacket and have it checked by an adult • Perform HELP (heat escape lessening position) for 1 minute while wearing a life jacket (HELP involves holding your knees together and using your arms to hug your knees to your chest to minimize loss of body heat and reduce the effects of hypothermia.) • Understand that 9-1-1 is the number to dial in an emergency • Learn how to help a fellow swimmer without getting into the water • Enter and exit the water safely • Float without assistance • Know how to recognize dangerous situations in and around water • Perform 10 bobs (While holding on to the side of the pool, your child will blow bubbles while his/her head is submerged.) • Kick while holding on to the side of the pool and while using a kick board/swim noodle • Paddle while on his/her front, back and side for 20 yards with assistance and for 15 yards without assistance • Jump independently into 5- to 7-feet of water and swim back to the surface

Ages: 6-12Ability level:BeginnerInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:5 (A minimum number of three children are needed for each class.)

Polliwog-level swimmers work to increase their independence in the water by swimming 25 yards with assistance and 20 yards without assistance) while learning the importance of water safety. Your child also will learn the proper breathing pattern for swimming on his/her stomach.

During this class, your child will learn to:• Learn the pool rules• Perform HELP (heat escape lessening position) for 2 minutes while wearing a life jacket (HELP involves holding your knees together and using your arms to hug your knees to your chest to minimize loss of body heat and reduce the effects of hypothermia.) • Know when to yell for help, who to contact in an emergency, and how to help a fellow swimmer without getting into the water • Understand how to protect him/herself while in the sun• Enter and exit the pool without assistance• Float on his/her front and back for 30 seconds without assistance and recover to a standing position• Paddle while on his/her front, back and side for 25 yards with a floatation device and for 20 yards without assistance• Practice the proper breathing pattern while swimming with one's face in the water

Ages: 6-12Ability level:IntermediateInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:8 (A minimum number of three children are needed for each class.)

Guppy-level swimmers are introduced to sculling (catching the water with their hands), which is a first step in learning competitive swimming strokes. These swimmers also learn to dive into the pool while kneeling and are introduced to performing a rescue without entering the water.

During this class, your child will learn to: • Perform HELP (heat escape lessening position) for 2 minutes while wearing a life jacket (HELP involves holding your knees together and using your arms to hug your knees to your chest to minimize loss of body heat and reduce the effects of hypothermia.) • Recognize a dangerous situation when in and around the water (and know who to contact in an emergency) • Learn how to help a fellow swimmer without getting into the water by properly using a safety device, such as a life ring, a shepherd's crook or a rescue tube • Enter and exit the pool without assistance • Float on his/her front and back for 30 seconds without assistance and recover to a standing position • Paddle while on his/her front, back and side for 25 yards with a floatation device and for 20 yards without assistance • Tread water for 30 seconds • Jump into the water, swim for 20 feet, float for 20 seconds and swim back to the side of the pool • Scull (catch the water with their hands), which is a first step in learning competitive swimming strokes • Perform a kneeling dive from the side of the pool and a head-first surface dive while already in the water

Ages: 6-12Ability level:AdvancedInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:8 (A minimum number of three children are needed for each class.)

Minnow-level swimmers begin learning some competitive swimming strokes, review water safety rules, and learn to dive into the water while standing.

During this class, your child will learn to: • Recognize a dangerous situation when in and around the water • Help a fellow swimmer without getting into the water by properly using a safety device, such as a life ring, a shepherd's crook or a rescue tube • Enter and exit the pool without assistance • Float on his/her front and back for 30 seconds without assistance and recover to a standing position • Paddle while on his/her front, back and side for 25 yards with a floatation device and for 20 yards without assistance • Tread water for 90 seconds • Jump into the water, swim for 20 feet, float for 20 seconds and swim back to the side of the pool • Perform a resting stroke for 3 minutes (A resting stroke involves making forward progress with the airway open and out of the water while allowing your body to rest. One example is side stroke.) • Perform a standing dive from the side of the pool • Perform a scissors kick • Perform the elementary backstroke, which involves the swimmer's arms and hands remaining in the water

In addition, your child will be taught the dangers of holding his/her breath for extended periods of time while underwater.

Ages: 6-12Ability level:ExpertInstructor-to-Student Ratio: 1:10 (A minimum number of three children are needed for each class.)

Fish-level swimmers are introduced to the butterfly stroke, learn to dive from a starting block, and work at treading water for 3 minutes.

During this class, your child will learn to: • Review safety and emergency procedures • Recognize the proper left jacket for his/her size and be able to put on the left jacket without assistance • Demonstrate how to treat leg cramps • Learn about swimming in currents • Float for 6 minutes without assistance • Tread water for 3 minutes • Perform head-first and feet-first surface dives (Surface dives are performed while already in the water.) • Learn how to perform a shallow dive from the side of the pool and from a starting block • Refine the following strokes: front crawl, backstroke, elementary back stroke, and side stroke. • Be introduced to the butterfly stroke

Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The YMCA of Central Texas is a registered 501 (c)(3) organization, Tax ID# 74-2668685, and contributions are tax deductible.